A day after the alleged murder of a BJP supporter by Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadre, a BJP delegation led by leader, Sameek Bhattacharya, visited the Kanur village in Birbhum district on Sunday.
When contacted, Mr. Bhattacharya told The Hindu that “the whole village is in trauma due to the TMC’s terror.”
Coming down heavily on the ruling party in the State for its “double standards” with regard to the minorities, he said on the one hand the TMC made tall claims about minority development and on the other hand “they have brutally murdered a member of the community.”
A senior officer district administration, however, ruled out any “foul play” and said that the murder had got nothing to do with “politics.” It was because of a family feud, the officer said.
The TMC cadre first took out an “armed victory march” to terrorise the villagers, all of whom recently joined the BJP, said Mr. Bhattacharya. They then entered the house of Seikh Rahim.
He alleged that they not only hacked Mr. Rahim to death, but also molested his family members.
The TMC cadre reportedly ransacked the victim’s house and looted little cash he had.
Mr. Bhattacharya criticised the police for arresting “seven BJP members who were assaulted by TMC cadre.” He said senior district police officers did not meet the BJP delegation citing “lack of time.” When the injured members of the victim’s family went to the local hospital, they were reportedly prevented from getting medical attention by TMC-backed goons.
A senior State official, however, said Mr. Rahim and his neighbour had an altercation over the control of a pond. “It has got nothing to do with politics...seven people from both sides have been arrested,” added the official.
State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said, that his party was looking into the matter. The TMC is also expected to send a team to investigate the incident on Monday, source said.
Meanwhile BJP’s co-observer in West Bengal Siddharh Nath Singh told reporters that a delegation of the party’s central Minority Morcha will visit the place soon and submit a report to the Minority Commission, urging it to take action.
